Edison Electric Institute. Work Zone Safety October 4-7, 2009

Transcription

1 Edison Electric Institute Work Zone Safety October 4-7,

2 Your Presenter Mike Kelly Fire Department Battalion Chief (Retired 7/05) Member NCUTCD (Chapter 6) Director/Owner of START Group Consultant for MDI (Traffic Control Division) 2

3 Program Goals Discuss overview of current rules: Standards Federal Statet Local Discuss gaps with the application of these rules to the utility arena Discuss critical information that each worker should know regarding TTC and work zone safety 3

4 Work Zone Safety Is Important! SAFETY REASONS: Crashes Property t damage Injuries Fatalities LEGAL REASONS: Exposure to litigation 4

5 The MUTCD Provides National Standards and Guidelines applicable to all streets and highways open to public travel 5

6 What is the MUTCD? A living document Developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) With input from the NCUTCD 6

7 What is the NCUTCD? C National Committee On Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) Advises the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Consists of public and private sector representatives 7

8 The 2003 Edition of the MUTCD Current version of the MUTCD Became effective in Nov Replaced the Millennium MUTCD Available at t d t /k 8

9 State Options States and territories were given 2 years to adopt one of the following: The 2003 MUTCD A State MUTCD A State supplement to the 2003 MUTCD 9

10 MUTCD Levels of Compliance Shall STANDARD Should GUIDELINE May OPTION Additional Information SUPPORT 10

11 Standard Highway Signs Instruction manual for sign manufacturers Promotes uniformity in signs Part of MUTCD, but published separately 11

12 OSHA s Jurisdiction Worker safety Usually not traffic control Varies by State May: Perform inspections Issue fines Shut down projects 12

13 OSHA Requirements Possible requirements: High-visibility safety apparel ANSI ANSI Hardhats Safety shoes Gloves Anything that impacts worker safety! 13

14 Guides and Publications By Others May contain standards d related to traffic control Part of the MUTCD usually by reference For example: ATSSA Quality Guidelines NCHRP Report 476 Guidelines for Nighttime Traffic Control 14

15 Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Specification for warning lights 15

16 American Association of State Highway and Transportation ti Officials i (AASHTO) Roadside d Design Guide Impact attenuators Portable barriers 16

17 Manufacturer Instructions and drecommendations Specify the application of the devices they manufacture Instructions 17

18 Project Specific Plans & Special Provisions Site-specificifi Contain the most specific requirements for that particular project: Device spacing Allowable lane widths Pavement marking requirements Allowable work hours/restrictions Allowable control methods Specific devices to be used These requirements will govern 18

19 Permits Specify the traffic control required Typically required for all work in right-of-way Take time to obtain PLAN AHEAD!! 19

20 Fundamental Principles of TTC The MUTCD includes 7 fundamental principles SHOULD Under GUIDANCE GUIDELINE Steps p we should take on every project Not requirements 20

21 TTCZ Definition The entire section of roadway between the first advance warning sign through the last traffic control device, where traffic returns to its normal path. 21

22 Component Parts of a TTC Zone Traffic Space Termination Area Work Space Activity ty Area Buffer Space Transition Area Advance Warning Area 22

23 Advance Warning System Warning signs to Draw attention Warn about the situation ahead Inform of actions to take Diamond-shape signs = WARNING! 23

24 Transition Required for lane closures Traffic is moved from the normal travel lanes May contain various types of tapers 24

25 Types of Tapers in the Advance Warning System Merging Shifting Shoulder 25

26 Merging g vs. Shifting Tapers Lane closures Requires merging No lane is closed No merging g but rather a shift Both have MINIMUM lengths! 26

27 One-Lane, Two-Way Taper Flagging g taper MAX TA 10 27

28 Formulas for Min. Length (L) of a MERGING Taper L = WS (45 mph or more) L = (WS 2 )/60 (40 mph or less) Where: L = length of the MERGING taper in ft. W = width of lateral displacement in ft. S = Speed in mph 28

29 S = Which speed? The speed could be: Posted speed (MIN!) Off-peak 85th percentile speed prior to work starting, or The anticipated operating speed Prevailing speed Not necessarily the posted speed! 29

30 Taper Lengths Merging Taper Shifting Taper Shoulder Taper One-Lane, Two- Way Taper Termination Taper L MIN. ½ L MIN. 1/3 L MIN ft. MAX. (DO NOT USE FORMULAS!!) 100 ft. MIN. (per lane reopened) 30

31 Activity Area 3 Sub-components Buffer spaces Longitudinal Lateral Work space Traffic space 31

32 Traffic Space Work Space Buffer Space Activity Area Not to scale 32

33 Longitudinal Buffer Space Recovery area for errant vehicles Protects workers ALWAYS empty: No vehicles, equipment or materials allowed STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Use unless there is a documented reason not to 2003 MUTCD: If a longitudinal buffer space is used, the values shown in Table 6C-2 may be used. (6C-7) 33

34 Table 6C-2. Stopping Sight Distance as a Function of Speed Speed L. Buffer Speed L. Buffer (mph) (ft.) (mph) (ft.) (Use for Longitudinal Buffer Spaces)(6C-7) 34

35 Lateral aea Buffer Space No set distance or table Case-by-case Engineering judgment Lateral buffer 35

36 Work Space Where the work takes place Workers Equipment and materials Work vehicles Maneuver room Truck-mounted attenuator 36

37 Traffic Space The space open for road users to pass safely 37

38 Termination Area End of TTCZ Resume normal driving May contain (optional): END ROAD WORK Downstream taper Min. 100 ft. per lane reopened 38

39 Termination Area Not to scale 39

40 MUTCD Categories of Work Duration A. Long-term stationary B. Intermediate-term stationary C. Short-term stationary D. Short duration E. Mobile 40

41 Location of Work Another major factor Type of road Traffic conditions The closer the work is to users, the greater the number of TTC devices needed 41

42 MUTCD Locations of Work A. Outside the shoulder B. On the shoulder with no encroachment C. On the shoulder with minor encroachment D. Within the median E. Within the travel way 42

43 What are Traffic Control Devices? Things used to implement a TCP in the field Objects motorists see and respond to when they drive through a TTCZ Shall be approved in the MUTCD 43

44 Traffic Control Devices Signs Arrow panels Channelizing devices Pavement markings 44

45 Purpose of Traffic Control Devices Ensure highway h safety by providing for the orderly and predictable movement of traffic and provide the guidance and warning necessary for road users to get through the work zone safely. 45

46 How Do We Fulfill Those Requirements? Design (what) Location (where) Spacing Application (when) Maintenance Uniformity 46

47 Signs Sg Familiar to users Provide a good deal of information to road users Convey messages through Colors & shapes Words & symbols 47

48 Sign (Background) Color Code Yellow: General Warning Red: Stop or Prohibition Blue: Motorist Services Guidance Green: Direction Brown: Recreational/Cultural Interest Orange: Temporary Black/White: Regulatory Fluorescent Yellow-Green: Ped/Bike Fluorescent Pink: Incident Management 48

49 Fluorescent Pink May be used for incident management signs Optional 49

50 Retroreflective Signs Sg Reflect light back to the source Retro = back Reflective Retroreflective 50

51 Non-Retroreflective Signs Disappear at Night 51

52 Minimum Sign Sg Dimensions so s High-speed roadways: 48 x 48 Moderate speed/volume: 36 x 36 Secondary roads and city streets: 24 x Check local Check local standards! 52

53 Height of Signs on Portable Supports 1 ft. min. to the elevation of the pavement 53

54 Suggested Advance Warning Sign Spacing Road Type A B C Urban (low speed*) Urban (high speed*) Rural Freeways and Expressways 1,000 1,500 2,640 *Speed category to be determined by highway agency. 54

55 Channelizing Devices Cones Tubular Markers Vertical Panels Drums Barricades 55

56 Channelizing Devices: A Forgiving Design If struck: Should yield or break-away Fragments should not penetrate the passenger compartment of the vehicle or be a potential hazard 56

57 Channelizing Device Ballast Refers to providing sufficient weight in the lower portions of the device to keep it reasonably in position But not so much weight as to present a hazard if the device is struck Use common sense and judgment! 57

58 Forgiving Design? Proper Ballast? 58

59 Termination: Max. Spacing = 20 Tangent: Max. Spacing = Speed X 2 Taper: Max. Spacing = Speed 59

60 Cones Typically used on short duration projects 12 hours or less Meant to be attended Predominantly orange 60

61 Minimum Cone Heights 28 inches Freeways & high- speed highways All highways at night 18 inches Daytime only, and Low-speed roads Some states require 36 cones! 61

62 Vertical Panels Stripes slope down toward side traffic is to pass Ballast: Rubber bases and sand bags Traffic to pass this way! 62

63 The Stripes Tell the Way! This way! 63

64 Drums Lightweight, h flexible and deformable material NO STEEL DRUMS 36 inches high, 18 inches of width facing traffic 64

65 Conflicting Message? 65

66 Direction Indicator Barricades ad In 2003 MUTCD Built-in warning light Built-in i ballast Configurable panels Battery compartment is LOW! 66

67 Ballast 67

68 Three Types of Warning Lights A - Low-intensity flashing B - High-intensity flashing C - Low-intensity it steady-burn 68

69 Arrow Panels A supplemental device Should be used in addition to appropriate p signs, barricades, or other traffic control devices 69

70 The CAUTION Mode Display for shoulder operations No arrows if all lanes are open NOTE: The Flashing Bar is not NOTE: The Flashing Bar is not acceptable in several states! 70

71 Preferred Arrow Panel Location For a stationary lane closures should be located on the shoulder at the beginning of the taper 71

72 Min. Length (L) of a MERGING Taper L = WS (45 mph or more) L = (WS 2 )/60 (40 mph or less) Where: L = length of the MERGING taper in ft; W = width lateral displacement in ft; S = Speed in mph 72

73 Other Taper Lengths Shifting hf Taper = 1/2 L Shoulder Taper = 1/3 L One-Lane, Two-Way Taper = 100 feet MAXIMUM Downstream taper = 100 feet MINIMUM (per lane reopened) 73

74 Maximum Spacing of Devices on Tapers For a merging, shifting, hf shoulder taper, the MAXIMUM spacing between devices equals the POSTED speed in feet 74

75 Spacing of Devices on Tapers For a one-lane, two-way way and a downstream taper, MAXIMUM spacing between devices equals feet. Typically 6 devices, feet apart

76 Flagging Equipment STOP/SLOW paddle Flag for emergencies High visibility apparel Hardhat? Air horn Personal comfort items 76

77 Never in the path of moving vehicles. 77

78 Nighttime TTC Principles are the same as during daytime, except for key enhancements The MUTCD does not address nighttime work zones specifically REMEMBER: MUTCD TAs imply py minimum (daytime?) solutions!! 78

79 Revisions to Pedestrian Safety Many new provisions have been added to the latest edition. Some are standards and guidelines, many scattered throughout the Part 6 text. All impose additional duties and responsibilities on traffic control personnel and work forces. 79

80 New Standard The needs of all roads shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations, and the management of traffic incidents. Emphasis shall be given to those persons with disabilities according to the ADA of 1990, title II, Paragraph

81 Persons with Disabilities Persons with disabilities may include the young, the elderly, and people with such disabilities as, limited vision, hearing impairment, or mobility limitations. These persons need a clearly delineated and usable travel path. 81

82 Visual Disability The most desirable way to provide information with this disability is by a speech message. Devices that are user activated are most useful. These devices are not always practicable, but are very desirable. 82

83 New Standard The provisions for pedestrians shall be applied by knowledgeable people after appropriate evaluation and engineering judgement. Advance notification of any sidewalk obstructions shall be provided to the maintaining agency. Any sidewalk closures shall have a barrier fully across the walkway that is detectable by long-cane cane users. 83

84 NO YES 84

85 Closing Remarks Questions? Thank you for the opportunity to present to EEI 83